RX-8...Just to risky?

[dern]

We've had a 231 for three years and it's engine gave up the ghost last year. Had it rebuilt and it's as it was again but with a new engine. Worth it? Very much so... car cost peanuts in the first place so the price of the car plus the rebuild is a price I'm happy for such a good car.

You'll have to like reving cars to like it, you can't drive on the torque, you have to nail it to get the best out of it. It's a bit like having a 600 motorbike or something with a vtec engine in although in my opinion, economy aside, the rx engine is much more fun that a vtec having spent three years in a jdm vtec prelude.

Handling is very very good if all the wheels are pointing in the right direction in the first place. Don't understand the comment about lack of steering feel as it's pin sharp.

You have to add some oil fairly regularly. It's just the way the engine works and it needs to burn some oil so a little bit is pumped in from the sump. It uses cheap mineral oil though so as long as you keep some handy it's not a big deal.

I've borrowed it this week and everytime I do I want to get one for myself. I'm going to see one tomorrow so soon we may have two.

Cheers,

Mark

PS. The one thing that is a pain is the flooding, that can get annoying. Basically if you start it from cold, move it and then shut it off it'll probably be ok but if you do that two times or are unlucky on the first go it will flood and then it won't start. The easiest way to fix this is to tow it down the road and bump start it, you won't start it on the starter unless you're very lucky. The other way is to take the plugs out, dry them out, pump the fuel out of the spark plug holes, charge your battery, reassemble and hope for the best. Go for the tow method. We've only flooded ours twice but pissing about getting it warm before parking it even if I'm only moving it off the drive is annoying.

Edited by dern on Friday 14th August 15:34

[jamesy12345]

Some good advice in the posts above there. I also am considering an RX-8....I've put a deposit down on an RX-7 but now having second thoughts due to the price of the 8's.

I'd love a PZ but couldn't bring myself to pay the tax, as they came out in May 2006 (as above March 2006 tax became expensive on these cars).

Spending a bit of time going through the classifieds, to me there seems to be 3 options:

PH/autotrader - choice of cars ranging from 5/6 hundred quid to a couple of thousand. Very few come with confirmation of compression test or, even better, evidence of a re-build.

Specialists without a rebuild - obviously the people working for the rotary specialists can spot a good one, compression test it and stick it on their websites for a little mark up.
http://hextablerotaries.webs.com/

Specialist with a rebuild - 4 grand plus.
http://www.essexrotaryspecialists.com/042004-rx-8-...

Cost of rebuilds can be seen in the links below:
http://www.apexrotary.com/prices-and-options/
http://rotaryrevs.com/garage/services/engine-rebui...

Not 3k as someone posted above (use Google - there is no need to guess/use info from down the pub anymore)

They are probably great cars, but I'd always be wondering 'was the 7 any better...?'. If I was going to go for one, I'd probably take a risk on a nice sub-2k one without a rebuild but with decent compression results.

[jamesy12345]

Two videos that may be relevant (or not)

JC back in the good old days - Top Gear review of RX8. Has the usual BS but some facts in there somewhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5FNjyaLfC8

Wheeler Dealers episode with RX7. I found the compression testing info useful at about 15 minutes in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NVuzWzF_1A

[lilwashu]

You would always want to budget £2.5-3K for a rebuild unless the engine has already been torn down and you know exactly what is wrong with it, as that determines what needs replacing (and therefore cost). You might not need new housings etc. which would make it cheaper. You're likely to need a new ignition system as well (£300 ish).

Google will also tell you which specialists to avoid for not doing a proper job, one of which you have linked to.

Edited by lilwashu on Sunday 16th August 15:37

[jamesy12345]

lilwashu said:

You would always want to budget £2.5-3K for a rebuild unless the engine has already been torn down and you know exactly what is wrong with it, as that determines what needs replacing (and therefore cost). You might not need new housings etc. which would make it cheaper. You're likely to need a new ignition system as well (£300 ish).

Google will also tell you which specialists to avoid for not doing a proper job, one of which you have linked to.

Edited by lilwashu on Sunday 16th August 15:37

Any links please? I'd hate to think I went to the wrong specialist and spent 3k for a bad job - you don't want that on your karma

//edit

for the OP, found a buying guide

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=126...

Edited by jamesy12345 on Sunday 16th August 16:18

[lilwashu]

www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk is the best place for accurate info around buying and owning these cars.

[Salesy]

jamesy12345 said:

Some good advice in the posts above there. I also am considering an RX-8....I've put a deposit down on an RX-7 but now having second thoughts due to the price of the 8's.

I'd love a PZ but couldn't bring myself to pay the tax, as they came out in May 2006 (as above March 2006 tax became expensive on these cars).

Spending a bit of time going through the classifieds, to me there seems to be 3 options:

PH/autotrader - choice of cars ranging from 5/6 hundred quid to a couple of thousand. Very few come with confirmation of compression test or, even better, evidence of a re-build.

Specialists without a rebuild - obviously the people working for the rotary specialists can spot a good one, compression test it and stick it on their websites for a little mark up.
http://hextablerotaries.webs.com/

Specialist with a rebuild - 4 grand plus.
http://www.essexrotaryspecialists.com/042004-rx-8-...

Cost of rebuilds can be seen in the links below:
http://www.apexrotary.com/prices-and-options/
http://rotaryrevs.com/garage/services/engine-rebui...

Not 3k as someone posted above (use Google - there is no need to guess/use info from down the pub anymore)

They are probably great cars, but I'd always be wondering 'was the 7 any better...?'. If I was going to go for one, I'd probably take a risk on a nice sub-2k one without a rebuild but with decent compression results.

Stay away from Hextable, i went there last year to buy one of 3 PZ's when i got there 2 had been sold. Even though i called late the afternoon before. The last one was a stter, bits missing, fast battery, no fuel and in very poor condition. I took the car out for a test drive only to get 50yds down the road and feel the brakes, Metal on metal. i turned the car round and got out and walked away. The guys seemed nice enough though but don't any salesman trying to get your money. They also lied about compression results too sating it was +7.0 on both rotors. I know this to be untrue as i found the guy who did all their testing and he hadnt tested that one.
Lewis at LC rotary is the man to see, honest and knowledgeable. You will not get a better service from a true enthusiast.

LC rotary are based in Orpington, Kent.

[jamesy12345]

lilwashu said:

www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk is the best place for accurate info around buying and owning these cars.

Salesy said:

Stay away from Hextable, i went there last year to buy one of 3 PZ's when i got there 2 had been sold. Even though i called late the afternoon before. The last one was a stter, bits missing, fast battery, no fuel and in very poor condition. I took the car out for a test drive only to get 50yds down the road and feel the brakes, Metal on metal. i turned the car round and got out and walked away. The guys seemed nice enough though but don't any salesman trying to get your money. They also lied about compression results too sating it was +7.0 on both rotors. I know this to be untrue as i found the guy who did all their testing and he hadnt tested that one.
Lewis at LC rotary is the man to see, honest and knowledgeable. You will not get a better service from a true enthusiast.

LC rotary are based in Orpington, Kent.

thanks, good info for the thread

I've noticed that there is a pattern to the salemans spiel for these cars, revolving (sorry) around compression testing. They must be so used to repeating it again & again to calm potential customers that they may forget which cars are above 7 bar & which are below...hopefully nothing underhand is going on and any cars that need a rebuild will get one prior to sale!!

I certainly won't be going ahead with the one I've put a deposit on until I see evidence of a test.

Home made digital compression tester below btw....

http://www.nopistons.com/rotary-engine-building-po...

Edited by jamesy12345 on Monday 17th August 08:42

[speedy_thrills]

Interesting. I've been offered an example (75k miles) for next to nothing but it has starting issues. Have often picked up a bargain by buying a car with some problems and fixing it but after what I've read here it sounds like the engine is a bit of a pup and any potential fix is expensive and difficult.

[Salesy]

you might find that all it needs is coils, plugs and leads. A common issue that can stop a car in its tracks..... it might also be worth noting that if the car had been run with dodgy ignition components it may have clogged the cat up and thus making it very hard to start.

Get it to a specialist for a compression test and general look over before parting with any cash. Rebuilds start around £2000

[GreenArrow]

Anyone seen these RX8s on ebay advertised as having had engine rebuilds and with two year engine warranty? One on there today for £2495....

Are the legit? Seems not a bad deal if you get a car with a rebuilt engine and warranty, but only if a) the rebuilt engine doesn't blow up straight away and b) the warranty does what it should do...

[anonymous-user]

I was looking at the 231 for myself, seemed a bit odd that it didn't have leather, I thought the cloth seats were only available on the 192, would be a good deal though if the warranty is good, depends if they insist it's serviced with them.